CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

overclkr · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 4227

Just like the title says! AWESOME!!!!!

The PS3 is now the UNDISPUTED CHAMPION of Blue Ray players!!!!!! Thumbs Up

Can't wait for that 7.1 lossless goodness!!!!!!!!

Cliffy

benareeno · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 1614 Location: ottawa, canada

This thing just keeps delivering....

So, it will deliver analog over HDMI then, right?

Is this considered a step down from those setups that bitstream the data and let the receiver decode it?

Ben

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

wallace

emdawgz1 · Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 7949

from Cnet

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9916002-7.html

April 10, 2008 8:54 AM PDT
PS3 to get DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, new PlayStation store
Posted by Matthew Moskovciak | Post a comment
(Credit: CNET)

Sony has announced the details on the next PS3 firmware update--version 2.30, coming mid-April--and the big news for home theater fans is that the PS3 is getting onboard DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding for Blu-ray movies. Home theater fans have long lamented that the PS3 could not decode the new DTS soundtracks at their highest resolution, especially since movie studios like Fox have opted for DTS-HD Master Audio on many Blu-ray releases. Without getting too technical, DTS-HD Master Audio offers 7-channels of lossless audio at 96K sampling frequency and 24-bit depths--which means that the sound sent to your receiver should be identical to the studio master.

While some sticklers will point out that the PS3 can't output Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio in bitstream format, it's definitely a non-issue. Decoding the audio at the source is actually better than having the ability to bitstream high-resolution soundtracks, since it means even people with older HDMI-capable receivers can enjoy the high quality audio. Sure, your receiver won't light up the pretty DTS-HD Master Audio logo, but who cares--you still get the same great sound.

We have ranked the PS3 as the best Blu-ray player for quite some time, and this only sweetens the deal. Almost all of our major complaints have been addressed, except for the fact that it still doesn't work nicely with a universal remote. Some diehard home theater fans will cringe at the idea of using a game console as their main disc player, but they should get over their hang-up as the PS3 is currently the best Blu-ray has to offer and it also happens to be the cheapest. And you can play high-def games and stream music, movies and photos.

The new firmware will also include a much-needed overhaul to the PlayStation Store. The official PlayStation Blog posted a walkthrough of the new store, and we have to admit it looks pretty good. Check it below.

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

If only I felt like spending the $$$ on an HDMI receiver...

So many toys, so little money.

SC

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

They should come up with a break out cable somehow that will give 7.1 analog. Then it would be the king!

ecrabb · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

That would be the sh*t. There's no way in hell I'm spending a grand on a new receiver anytime soon, but I'd love to listen to the advanced audio.

SC

**kal** · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Ok, how about a Moome box (or someone else) that takes in the HDMI audio and then converts it to 7.1 analog outs.

If they could do this for cheap it would be a hit.

I would think the electronics would push it over the $300 area which would make it hard not to just splurge for a receiver.

Someone needs to get to work! Thumbs Up

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX

benareeno · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 1614 Location: ottawa, canada

I agree....which is why I'm really considering upgading or sidegrading my rotel receiver!

Even uncompressed PCM at 2 channel is noticably better than any dvd soundtrack I've heard.

Ben

dc_pilgrim · Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 225 Location: PA

Gefen makes a breakout box, but its spendy, and I think it isn't out yet.

Couldn't you get a cheap receiver with pre-outs and use that as a breakout box. My yamaha v661 should fit the bill and is on the bay around $325.

overclkr · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 4227

Is there another 2.0 profile blue ray player on the market available for purchase now? If so, what model is it and how much?

Cliff

Brian Hampton · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1173

Hey,

I wouldn't want a chepie box to convert the digital HDMI Audio output to analog. Your digital to analog conversion isn't where you want to cheap out. I also would want not analog audio from the PS3. It doesn't have the DA converters and if it did it would have been done on the cheap.

I would want the PS3 to be providing digital audio and video, as it does, to be converted carefully into analog downstream like from a nice AVR and eventually something like the HDFury.

I don't have a HDMI AVR yet but the good news is some of the lower end Denons for example will work with DTSMA even though they didn't have to license the DTSMA logo because the AVR is only getting the digital PCM. This is a real blessing in fact. I know where I can find a refurbished Denon that will do it all for ~$500 that will do it all from the PS3.

Hint ..

http://www.ubid.com/Denon_AVR-2308CI_HDMI_1.3A%2c_7.1_CH%2f5.1%2b2_CH_Home_Theater_Receiver/a703168643-rsearchone.html

Note- that link will likely go dead as soon as the deal is over but it's for a denon avr 2308 which seems nice for about ~$500 shipped.

I would put it in my basket if the thought of picking up some spare tubes wasn't still somewhere in the back of my mind. Afterall HDMI audio isn't going anywhere but picking up a spare set of tubes may be something of a timed challenge.

-Brian

Brian Hampton · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1173

Hey,

One other thing to mention which is notable.

If you remember back in the early days of DVD you could set up your gear incorrectly or have gear without DTS decoding and still send the DTS via Optical or Coax resulting in speaker damage.

Amazingly,... this same concept recently resurfaced with the HD variations of DTS. Many owners of popular Onkyo AVR's managed to get the system confused so that the speakers got fed raw digital data and $1000+ Speaker systems were instantly damaged in the process. I will go find links if anyone wants them but I read about this on AVS most likely.

Having the DTS and all other forms of audio decoded internally while still maintaining it's digital nature and then sending everything out as PCM effectively bypasses this problem. Yipee!!!

-Brian

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Brian Hampton · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1173

By doing the digital to analog conversion.

Isn't that what you guys are talking about with this breakout box stuff.

I personally think something like the $500 denon is cheap enough with out totally cheaping out.

I would want a $100 box full of cheap DACs and op-amps in my audio chain.

-Brian

greg_mitch · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 5320

Brian Hampton · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 1173

Hey,

I suppose there is clearly room for confusion but some of the talk seems to be about how the PS3 can't output 7.1 analog sound.

I little gadget box could get that done if it had some chips for surround sound decoding and some minor amplification but ... what would be the point is the part I can't really imagine.

I would rather the PS3 outputs all digital signals and conversion to analog happens elsewhere.

Then,.. I think the point was made that if your AVR has HDMI 1.3 audio capabilities it doesn't have to be able to decode all the formats since the PS3 can decode them for you and output them via digital multi-channel PCM. Therefore,... lower priced AVRs can still give you all the goods. Your AVR won't proudly display something like DTS MA but that doesn't matter to everyone. (My AVR is in the gear rack outside the theater and I hardly look at it.)

If all else fails,... it's quite possible I'm the only one confused. If so,... sorry, carry on.

-Brian